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Ahoy me boys! It's Devon boy heaven down Plymouth way says OutUK's man-overboard
Adrian Gillan!
Plymouth reeks of seamen. In 1588, Sir Francis Drake allegedly downed his bowls on The Hoe - there is still a well-kept green on the very spot - before boarding The Revenge to rout the Armada. Shortly afterwards, in 1620, The Pilgrim Fathers - en route from Southampton - struck out in The Mayflower from the harbour steps, to subjugate the New World with their Puritanical strain that still holds sway. | |
| And there must have been immeasurable frigging up rigging, humping down holds and orgies at inns over the centuries - involving cute young cabin boys, randy pirates and manly mariners. All drunk as hell and miles from home: bless their naughty nauticals! |
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Perhaps Plymouth's modern day gay yarn - a somewhat short tale to be true - in part
reflects an eroding of this historic city's links with the sea. What's more,
Bristol - which frankly is almost in Wales - has shamelessly usurped Plymouth's
rightful "capital of the South West" mantle. And nearby Torquay and Exeter have
much in their own right to lure lush local lads astray.
FIRST PORT OF CALLYet all is not sunk. The ways have not entirely grown dark to a gay local or wayfaring queer. There are still beacons shining out like harbour lights, near the Hoe and down by the old harbour. A good first port is a couple of traditional gay pubs in West Hoe: The Clarence Hotel can't in fact accommodate at all but does offer a gay-friendly haunt that truly pulls in a mixed crowd.OMG Plymouth is the city's gay night club open from Thursday to Sunday with drag shows, themed nights, and lots of special events. It gets the busiest around 11 PM, especially on Fridays and Saturdays, particularly during Pride month. They have live music, karaoke and serve some great cocktails. ONE SWALLOWNext berth? Bob down to the cobbled Barbican district just above the quaint harbour - about a ten minute stroll. Avert your gaze as you drift past the newly abandoned ship that was the Old Friary pub - locals seem unsure as to whether it's scuttled for good or about to miraculously rise from the waves. | |
| A few doors yonder you'll hit against a traditional and provocatively named pub: The Swallow. Gay-run, it wears its heart on its sleeve - even nailed to the door - is the city's queer lifeblood and is packed to the aft come weekends. Open all day, its kitchen hatches also serve up some tasty homo-lashings to quell those daytime hungers. |
Southside Street in the Barbican, Plymouth Photo: andyparker72 |
The pub had a complete refurbishment in November 2025, and they say it has brought, "new life to one of Plymouth's most important pubs,
rooted in LGBTQ+ history and built for the community that made it matter." The owners claim that The Swallow is,
"Somewhere you can come exactly as you are - whether that's for a quiet pint, a first date, a dancefloor moment, or just to feel safe and seen."
FOOD FOR THOUGHTApart from snacks at The Swallow, there are no gay eateries as such, but you're unlikely to have problems at the numerous trendy cafés around The Barbican and the harbour.Some particularly LGBTQ+ friendly spots include: The Bread and Roses a charming bar with a relaxed vibe and a focus on craft beers featuring eclectic live music acts, Boston Tea Party a funky cafe serving up breakfast, burgers, salads and baked goods with sustainable ingredients, and Cap’n Jaspers a fast food kiosk with al fresco tables making burgers, hot dogs & mugs of tea in the iconic and popular waterfront area. PLYMOUTH PRIDEFor 2026 Plymouth Pride is all about returning to the iconic Plymouth Hoe! Once again they transform the city into a kaleidoscope of colour, acceptance and pride. The event is on Saturday 11th July. It starts with a Pride March leaving the Theatre Royal Plymouth at 11.30am and taking a scenic route through the heart of the city centre, along Armada Way before arriving at the iconic Plymouth Hoe. There's a Pride Festival all afternoon from 12-6pm.GETTING STEAMED UPIf you want to get warmed up, then head for the sauna and baths and Manticore Spa is the only show in town. It opens from midday until 8pm most days (Fri and Sat until 4am). Within the 4,000 sqft facilities there's a late licenced bar, Chill Out Lounge, Steam Room, Cinema Room and Private Cabins. They attract a wide range of guys with younger lads and military personnel taking advantage of discounted entry rates. They have a naked day every Sunday, but the rest of the week most people don't seem to wear much anyway! | |
| Plymouth is about a four hour drive from London down the M3 and A303 or three and a half hours away from London Paddington by train using GWR - Great Western Railway - the original company of which ran its first trains in 1838 engineered by the great English mechanical and civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. |
Plymouth Sound and Hoe with Smeatons Tower Lighthouse Photo: andyparker72 |
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Revised May 2026. | |